Paul Scholes Rates Sandro Tonali Higher Than Declan Rice, Caicedo

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has expressed his preference for Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali over prominent stars Declan Rice of Arsenal and Moises Caicedo from Chelsea. In a discussion on the YouTube channel The Overlap, Scholes praised Tonali’s skills and contributions to Newcastle since his transfer from AC Milan for £55 million.

Tonali has quickly become a vital player for Newcastle, participating in 45 matches across all competitions last season. His performances were instrumental in helping the team secure a top-four finish in the Premier League, thus earning a spot in the UEFA Champions League, and breaking a lengthy trophy drought by clinching the Carabao Cup.

Scholes acknowledged the talents of Rice and Caicedo, who have also made significant impacts at their respective clubs. Rice has been a cornerstone for both Arsenal and the England national team since his transfer from West Ham for £105 million in 2021, while Caicedo is starting to validate his own hefty price tag of £115 million following his move from Brighton in 2023, highlighted by a recent goal against Liverpool.

Scholes Compares Midfielders

When asked to identify the top midfielder in the Premier League, Scholes noted the difficulty of the task. He classified Caicedo as not yet being an all-round midfielder, despite acknowledging his recent standout performances. “I still don’t class Moises Caicedo as an all-round midfield player,” Scholes remarked. “He’s one of the best at what he does, which is breaking up the play, but I prefer controlling midfielders who can contribute more to goal-scoring.”

Scholes highlighted the exceptional qualities of Tonali, stating, “I love Sandro Tonali. He’s been brilliant. Very good. I would probably choose Tonali at this point.” When pressed further, he affirmed his belief that Tonali surpasses Rice in overall ability, saying, “I think he’s better than Rice. I really like Rice, don’t get me wrong, I think he’s got everything.”

While acknowledging that Rice can sometimes overcomplicate his play, Scholes maintained a high regard for both players, appreciating their respective strengths. “They’re both good players,” he concluded, emphasizing the competitive nature of the Premier League’s midfield landscape.

As the season progresses, the performances of Tonali, Rice, and Caicedo will continue to be closely scrutinized by fans and analysts alike, making Scholes’ insights particularly relevant in the ongoing discussion about the league’s best talent.